the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing in Saudi Arabia, through its “Rent” platform, has issued a significant clarification regarding the division of maintenance responsibilities between landlords and tenants. The platform stipulates that landlords are responsible for covering the costs of essential property maintenance. Should a landlord fail to address these issues after being notified,the tenant is entitled to undertake the necessary repairs and deduct the expenses from thier rental payments.

Defining Owner’s Obligations

This clarification is part of the “Rent” platform’s broader mission to regulate the contractual relationship between landlords and tenants, ensuring a balance of rights and responsibilities.This initiative aims to foster stability within the Kingdom’s residential rental market, protecting the interests of both parties.

Core Maintenance Responsibilities of the Landlord

the “Rent” platform specifies that landlords are accountable for maintenance related to the property’s infrastructure and essential usability. This includes:

• Repairing major electrical malfunctions.
• Maintaining central air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
• Repairing water and sewage networks.
• Addressing leaks in surfaces or walls caused by construction defects or weather conditions.
• Correcting structural flaws that compromise the building’s overall safety.

Unless otherwise stipulated in the rental agreement, these costs are the landlord’s responsibility. The tenant must inform the landlord of any malfunctions, preferably in writing or via the platform, and allow a reasonable timeframe for repairs before proceeding with self-managed maintenance and cost deduction.

Deducting Costs from Rent: The Tenant’s Right

If a landlord neglects to perform necessary repairs within the given timeframe, the tenant has the right, according to the “Rent” platform,to either conduct the maintenance themselves or hire a qualified professional. The tenant can then deduct the repair costs from their rent, provided they have official invoices as proof of expenditure.

The platform emphasizes that this mechanism is designed to minimize legal disputes and ensure tenants can live in suitable conditions, especially when faults affect their quality of life or safety.

Tenant’s Maintenance Responsibilities

Conversely, the “Rent” platform clarifies that tenants are responsible for minor or routine maintenance tasks, such as:

• Replacing light bulbs.
• Repairing leaky faucets due to normal wear and tear.
• Cleaning individual air conditioning units.
• Maintaining furniture or appliances in furnished properties.

The platform advises users to carefully review their rental contracts, as those documented via “Rent” typically include detailed clauses outlining each party’s maintenance responsibilities. tenants are urged to read contracts thoroughly before signing and ensure they are officially registered on the platform to guarantee legal protection.

Reporting and Tracking Maintenance Issues via the Platform

The “Rent” platform offers a feature that allows tenants to report maintenance breakdowns directly through their accounts. Tenants can submit requests to landlords via the system, attaching photos and detailed descriptions of the issue. The platform then allows tenants to track the interaction and response from the landlord.

If the landlord fails to respond,the platform retains records of the request,which can be used to support the tenant’s position in any future disputes.

“Rent” underscores the importance of officially documenting all steps and procedures, noting that undocumented agreements do not provide full legal protection for either party in case of disagreements.